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Unit of competency details

SIRCHCS003 - Test blood pressure and advise on self-monitoring (Release 1)

Summary

Usage recommendation:
Current
Mapping:
MappingNotesDate
Supersedes SIRCHCS407 - Test blood pressure and advise on self-monitoringNot equivalent.Updated to meet Standards for Training Packages. • Additional Performance Criteria providing customers with information on specialist services • Changed knowledge requirements in relation to: o sources of information o common symptoms of high and low blood pressure o range of normal blood pressure levels o customer self-testing strategies o customer’s personal blood pressure records o pharmacy blood pressure testing records. 30/Mar/2016

Release Status:
Current
Releases:
ReleaseRelease date
1 1 (this release) 31/Mar/2016


Classifications

SchemeCodeClassification value
ASCED Module/Unit of Competency Field of Education Identifier 080501 Sales  

Classification history

SchemeCodeClassification valueStart dateEnd date
ASCED Module/Unit of Competency Field of Education Identifier 080501 Sales  09/Aug/2016 
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Unit of competency

Modification History

Not applicable.

Application

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to test blood pressure, record readings, recommend appropriate home blood pressure testing equipment and assist customers with blood pressure management information. It requires the ability to identify and act on triggers for referral to a pharmacist for therapeutic advice. The blood pressure testing instrument may be a mercury (aneroid) blood pressure monitor or an electronic digital blood pressure monitor.

This unit applies to pharmacy assistants working in community pharmacies. They work with some independence, under general supervision and guidance from others, but ultimately under the supervising pharmacist.

No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Competency Field

Health Care Support

Unit Sector

Community Pharmacy

Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENTS 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Identify customer needs.

1.1.Follow organisational procedures to respect and protect customer privacy.

1.2.Question and actively listen to confirm customer needs.

1.3.Explain features of initial and repeat blood pressure testing services.

1.4.Identify and act on triggers for referral to pharmacist.

2. Test blood pressure.

2.1.Follow organisational procedures for testing blood pressure.

2.2.Explain limitations of single test as accurate indicator and suggest regular monitoring.

2.3.Select quiet and comfortable area and allow customer to relax before testing.

2.4.Select blood pressure testing instrument and appropriate cuff size and clearly explain testing procedure to customer.

2.5.Apply cuff and use testing instrument according to manufacturer instructions to test pulse, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure.

2.6.Repeat procedure to check accuracy.

2.7.Read test results, enter accurate and complete information on testing record and refer to pharmacist for verification.

2.8.Provide confirmed record to customer and file copy.

3. Support use of home blood pressure testing equipment.

3.1.Follow organisational procedures for supplying home blood pressure testing equipment.

3.2.Identify and recommend equipment appropriate to customer needs and clearly explain its features.

3.3.Demonstrate use, care and maintenance of digital home blood pressure testing equipment and confirm customer understanding.

3.4.Assist customer to identify self-testing strategies to achieve accurate readings.

3.5.Show customer how to keep a blood pressure record.

4. Provide information and advice on blood pressure management.

4.1.Encourage customer to take and record regular blood pressure readings and report to their doctor.

4.2.Advise customer to calibrate home testing equipment against doctor’s equipment reading every six months.

4.3.Source, review and provide customers with information on lifestyle, self-care practices and availability of specialist services that support blood pressure management.

Foundation Skills

Foundation skills essential to performance in this unit, but not explicit in the performance criteria are listed here, along with a brief context statement.

Numeracy skills to:

  • work with numerical concepts about blood pressure levels and calibration requirements for home blood pressure testing equipment.

Technology skills to:

  • use online information systems to search for information.

Unit Mapping Information

No equivalent unit.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=ca051b1b-5101-4ec2-ac1c-49699303188d

 

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Not applicable.

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:

  • access and interpret information on blood pressure conditions and specialist support services from two sources
  • test blood pressure for four different customers
  • demonstrate, recommend and sell home blood pressure testing equipment to two different customers
  • for each customer sale, provide information on:
  • directions for product use
  • care and maintenance of home blood pressure testing equipment
  • self-testing strategies to achieve accurate readings at home
  • format, content and use of customer personal blood pressure records
  • lifestyle and self-care practices
  • specialist services that support blood pressure management.

Knowledge Evidence

Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:

  • sources of information on blood pressure conditions and specialist support services:
  • federal, state or territory government health education internet sites
  • not for profit health councils
  • industry and professional publications
  • product manufacturer health education materials
  • common symptoms of high and low blood pressure
  • common lifestyle factors that can contribute to or exacerbate abnormal blood pressure and methods of self-care
  • meaning of:
  • systolic blood pressure
  • diastolic blood pressure
  • range of normal blood pressure levels
  • key terminology, jargon and common abbreviations relevant to blood pressure, for:
  • testing and recording blood pressure levels
  • pharmacy and home blood pressure testing equipment
  • pharmacy product range of home blood pressure testing equipment:
  • location
  • different types
  • features and uses
  • care and maintenance
  • customer self-testing strategies to achieve accurate readings at home
  • format, content and use of:
  • pharmacy blood pressure testing records
  • customer personal blood pressure records
  • sources and format of product, lifestyle and self-care information:
  • manufacturer product support materials:
  • Consumer Medicines Information (CMI)
  • product leaflets, brochures, booklets
  • internet sites
  • health-care fact sheets
  • pharmacy manuals
  • reputable health education internet sites; government and not-for profit organisations
  • role boundaries and responsibilities of pharmacy assistants, and circumstances which require and trigger referral to a pharmacist
  • organisational procedures for testing blood pressure and supplying home blood pressure testing equipment:
  • questions that must be asked to collect information about customer needs
  • identifying and acting on triggers for referral to a pharmacist
  • maintaining privacy and confidentiality of customer information
  • recording and maintaining readings and requirements for pharmacist verification.

Assessment Conditions

Skills must be demonstrated in a pharmacy with designated front of pharmacy and dispensary areas. This can be:

  • an industry workplace
  • a simulated industry environment.

Assessment must ensure use of:

  • information technology hardware and software
  • online information systems
  • blood pressure monitors
  • commercial product range of home blood pressure testing equipment
  • templates for:
  • pharmacy blood pressure testing records
  • customer personal blood pressure records
  • customer brochures and leaflets providing information on:
  • directions for product use
  • care and maintenance of equipment
  • lifestyle and self-care practices
  • specialist services that support blood pressure management
  • organisational procedures for testing blood pressure and supplying home monitoring equipment
  • customers with whom the individual can interact; these can be:
  • customers in an industry workplace who are served by the individual during the assessment process or
  • individuals who participate in role plays or simulated activities, set up for the purpose of assessment, in a simulated industry environment operated within a training organisation.

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisation’s requirements for assessors, and:

  • have worked in the pharmacy sector for at least two years.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=ca051b1b-5101-4ec2-ac1c-49699303188d